Living Proof

Our occasional reminder that not all people are bastards

This August, Lawrence's E.M.U. Theatre will celebrate10 years of broke-ass independent productions that somehow manage a consistent quotient of awesomeness. Such undertakings rely on the tenacious dedication of the E.M.U. crew, the support of the community and places like Ecumenical Christian Ministries, which has hosted countless community events throughout the years.

Now that the Oread Inn development has gobbled up the prime near-campus property adjacent to ECM (a not-for-profit ministry and activist center), E.M.U. is showing its solidarity for the continued viability of ECM by hosting a benefit production of David Ives' "Mere Mortals."

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"We want to show that ECM is a viable space for the community," producer Nathan Cadman says. "They have a lot of improvements they have to make, and we're hoping to help them."

A couple months ago the ECM asked the Oread Inn developers, who plan to build a major hotel where The Crossing and Yello Sub used to be, whether they wanted to buy its building. The developers were interested, says campus minister Thad Holcombe, but the ECM ultimately walked away from a deal.

The plan would have been to tear down the building and let the ECM use about 8,000 square feet of space in a new building, Holcombe says.

"No. 1, that's not enough, and No. 2, we don't want the building torn down," he says. "So we went to the other option. That's what it came down to."

The show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased at the door, the ECM or the Lawrence Arts Center (in person or call 843-2787).